PEP is not a replacement for condoms. The side-effects alone can mean that many men who have taken PEP become much more careful about the risks they take in the future. Condoms, when used properly, are still the easiest and most effective way of reducing the risk of HIV being picked up or passed on.

If you would like to talk to someone about risk taking in your sex life there are a range of services around the country which can help you. Health advisors at your local sexual health clinic are trained to talk about any of the issues you might be concerned with in your sex life. You don’t have to be going in for a sexual health check up to see them. Many local gay organisations also offer counselling services or you could call THT Direct on 0845 12 21 200 for details for your nearest service.

You might also want to think about further precautions you could take to keep your sex safer. There are many reasons men might risk getting HIV or passing it on. Sometimes people just forget about safer sex, or think that they can tell if the person they are having sex with has HIV or not. Sometimes, you may not even think you are taking a risk at all.